The 10th Annual Taite Music Prize 2019 Finalists Announced

March 7th 2019

Independent Music NZ (IMNZ) is very pleased to announce that the finalists for the Taite Music Prize 2019 have been confirmed.

In celebration of its tenth year, the Taite Music Prize adds an extra element with a new Independent Spirit Award and a venue move to Auckland's Q Theatre for the Taite Music Prize award ceremony on Tuesday 16th April 2019.

Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of New Zealand's most respected music journalists, the award recognises outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one recording. The prize-winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000 to be spent as they wish, thanks to Taite Music Prize founding partner Recorded Music NZ; recording time at Red Bull Studios Auckland; and a year's supply of Red Bull product. This year's ten finalists, from a list of 67 nominations submitted by record labels both independent and major from across the country, are:

The ten albums in contention for the 2019 prize include fresh faces and familiar New Zealand musicians alike.

Previous Taite Music Prize finalists returning with their latest albums include; Julia Deans (previous finalist for her Modern Fables album in 2011), Jonathan Bree (previous finalist for The Primrose Path in 2014), Marlon Williams (previous finalist for his self titled debut album in 2016), Tami Neilson (previous finalist for Dynamite! in 2015), Tom Scott (previous finalist for Homebrew's self titled album and @Peace's self titled album, both in 2013 plus @Peace's Girl Songs in 2014 and 2015's @peace and the Plutonian Noise Symphony), and Unknown Mortal Orchestra (previous finalist for album II in 2014, Multi-Love in 2016 and winners for self-titled album in 2012).

Of the Taite Music Prize reaching its tenth anniversary, IMNZ General Manager, Dylan Pellett, says, "I'm a little bewildered - that snuck up on us quick! Ten years! I'm very pleased to see how the Taite Music Prize has evolved over that time and to get to this Tenth Anniversary milestone has been an enjoyable ride. I recall the first ceremony being held in a concrete bunker somewhere in downtown Auckland and it's been developing and growing up every year since. There has been so much artistic expression recorded on so many great New Zealand albums over the last ten years and I can't help but think that Dylan Taite would be proud of the quality and talent that this award acknowledges. If you'll excuse me, I might go back and listen to all the finalists this afternoon...perhaps I'll make a mixtape - sorry, I mean a playlist! Happy days!"

Alongside the main prize, three additional awards will be presented at the ceremony: the Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award, the newly created Independent Spirit Award, awarded to a New Zealand person who assists our NZ musicians to grow and find their own unique pathways, and the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award, celebrating the freshest talent of Aotearoa. The winner receives a $2,000 cash prize with thanks to Auckland Live.